An integral part of the Purdue University Research Center in Economics' mission is the training of students in empirical economic methodologies and in applying those methodologies to policy evaluation.
Historically, our center's support has focused on graduate students. While that support has not diminished, PURCE is excited to highlight new opportunities for undergraduates.
Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program
All Undergraduate Research Assistantship (UGRA) positions have been filled.
UGRA positions are paid and provide selected participants the opportunity to work in an engaging, supportive, and interactive learning environment. UGRAs will master the fundamentals of research design, as well as how to manage and analyze quantitative data with the UGRA mentor while simultaneously assisting faculty members with ongoing policy-related research tasks such as:
• Building policy databases
• Managing and preparing datasets in Stata
• Translating hypotheses into testable models
• Creating compelling tables and figures
A commitment of 10 work hours per week is expected for these UGRA paid positions. Work hours will include attending mandatory weekly in-person UGRA lunch meetings (lunch will be provided), and communicating regularly with the UGRA mentor on individual project progress. Due to the interactive nature of this program, in-person participation is required and UGRA program participants must be enrolled in on-campus courses at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.
There are no available UGRA positions at this time. Check back here and follow PURCE on Twitter for announcements of when the application will reopen.
Questions? Reach out to purce@purdue.edu.
Economic Scholars ProgramUndergraduate students from across Purdue University are introduced to classical economic literature; best practices for small workshop-style discussions; and how economic theories of the past inform the present through our unique course called the Economic Scholars Program.
The Econ Scholars Program is made possible by generous funding from a PURCE donor.
Students who have completed a principles of economics course are invited to apply for the Econ Scholars Program, with a preference for students who are not economics majors. The selected students complete a one credit hour independent study course in which they complete readings and have a weekly discussion. They are each awarded a $500 scholarship.
Economics Honors Courses
PURCE provides overload teaching payments to fund the teaching of honors courses in economics with a focus on attracting students from other majors. These courses use innovative teaching methods.
PURCE is proud to work closely with the Purdue Center for Economic Education (PCEE).
Since 1966, PCEE has been a national leader in promoting economic literacy. Housed in the Department of Economics, this center shares with PURCE a passion for economics, but one largely focused on K-12 economic education.
The center hosts teacher outreach events on topics ranging from teaching economics using children's literature, creating a classroom mini-economy, and more.
Learn more about this special center.
